The mechanical process of packing soil tightly together to make it more dense, stable, and able to support loads.
The process of mechanically increasing the density of soil by removing air voids through the application of force using rollers, plate compactors, or rammers. Proper compaction increases bearing capacity, reduces settlement, and improves shear strength of fill materials. Compaction is measured by comparing field density to a laboratory Proctor test maximum dry density.
Trench backfill compaction tests failed at 88% Proctor — the spec required 95% — requiring the contractor to re-compact the material.
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